News

Press Releases and Media Alerts

April 9, 2012

New Campaign and Hotline to Combat Illegal Medical Activity to Launch TODAY

WHAT: The UNR Latino Research Center will launch a public awareness campaign to combat unlicensed health care in Nevada, specifically in Nevada’s Latino community.

WHEN: Today, Monday, April 9th at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy Office at 431 W. Plumb Lane

Due to limited resources and funding, the LRC is only able to hold a press conference in northern Nevada; however, interviews can be given via phone or Skype after the press conference and throughout the rest of the week. Furthermore, everyone who receives this press release will also be sent an electronic copy of the campaign materials after the press conference. For more information about the public awareness campaign, please visit www.unr.edu/latinocenter

I have attached a full press release below. Please let me know if I can provide you with any additional information.

Sincerely,

Drew Bradley

Outreach Coordinator
Latino Research Center
University of Nevada, Reno
775.682.9044

April 3, 2012

New Campaign and Hotline to Combat Illegal Medical Activity in Nevada to Launch April 9th

Reno, NV – Since the beginning of January, the UNR Latino Research Center (LRC) has been developing a public awareness campaign to combat unlicensed health care in Nevada, specifically in Nevada’s Latino community. The campaign, titled “NO a Los Médicos Clandestinos” will launch on April 9th with a press conference at 10:00 a.m. The press conference is open to the public and will be held at the office of the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy – 431 W. Plumb Lane, Reno, NV 89509.

The campaign will use educational brochures, posters and public service announcements on both TV and radio with the goal of raising awareness and discouraging community members from seeing unlicensed health care providers. The campaign will include information on where under or uninsured community members can find affordable health care options such as free clinics and organizations that offer medical services with sliding fee schedules for low-income patients. This information will be available online on both the LRC’s and the Nevada State Health Division’s websites. The campaign will also include a bilingual brochure, which outlines the dangerous consequences that may result in undergoing a medical procedure with an unlicensed physician as well as a guide that is meant to show people how they can find a certified and qualified physician.

“I was pleased to help secure funding for this important public policy issue in Nevada and will continue providing supportive efforts,” said Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto. “Educating the community on the dangers and threats of unlicensed activity is critical for public safety.”

After the hotline is revealed on April 9th, community members are encouraged to report unlicensed activity by calling the hotline. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Nevada State Health Division, the Attorney General’s Office and the LRC believe that awareness is the key to stopping illegal medical activity in Nevada and will continue to work together to distribute the educational materials all over the state.

Due to limited resources and funding, the LRC is only able to hold a press conference in northern Nevada; however, interviews can be given via phone or Skype after the press conference and throughout the rest of the week. Furthermore, everyone who receives this press release will also be sent an electronic copy of the campaign materials after the press conference. For more information about the public awareness campaign, please visit www.unr.edu/latinocenter

###

The Latino Research Center at the University of Nevada, Reno serves as a nexus between the Latino community and the university. Its mission is to foster research, student achievement, faculty collaboration, advocacy, and outreach in a manner that best meets the educational needs and goals of the State of Nevada and best honors the intellectual and cultural capital of the Latino presence in our state. For more information please visit www.unr.edu/latinocenter